Deans relishes passionate side of series

Robbie Deans has been consistently labelled a conservative coach throughout his tenure as Wallabies supremo, but the former Canterbury Crusaders boss well and truly threw the cat amongst the pigeons with his selection for Saturday’s opening clash with the Lions in Brisbane.

Deans has picked three debutants in arguably the biggest game of his coaching career in the form of fleet-footed ACT Brumbies centre Christian Leali’fano and his clubmate Ben Mowen, who packs down at blindside, not to mention the selection of former rugby league and Aussie Rules superstar Israel Folau on the wing.

It’s shaping up to be a hugely-intriguing opening Test, and Deans remembers the hysteria and drama of the epic 2001 series with fond memories.

“When you go back to that first Test match in 2001, it’s distinct from any match that was played since then, and prior to then,” said the Wallabies boss.

“Just the passion that came out in that Test was just another level. It’s unique to have so much support for the away side so to speak. The noise that emanated from the crowd particularly for the Lions in that first game, and then we got the response from the home side in the second and third Tests. It’s a totally unique contest from a sporting event to get that clear split and delineation of passion.”

The Wallabies class of 2001 suffered a shellacking at the hands of Graham Henry’s tourists in Brisbane, but recovered in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests to claim the series.

Meanwhile, Wallabies fly-half James O’Connor is relishing the opportunity to link up with Folau against the Lions.

“He’s picked up his lines very well,” said O’Connor on Australia’s latest dual-code star.

“He’s a lethal ball runner, he’s always there, on my inside or outside. He’s running some great lines from what I’ve seen in training so if that extends into Saturday’s game, he’s going to be pretty dangerous.”